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Another addition to airport security
New ‘puffer machines’ at IAH improve airport security and passenger safety
Houston Airport System 
June 19, 2006

In 17 seconds, 32 bursts of air can detect explosives particles as small as one-billionth of a gram and now the ‘puffer machines’ that deliver this service are in use at Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) identifies these Entry Scan explosives-detection devices as one of the latest tools in its arsenal of airport-security equipment and beginning this month two of these machines will be operated at Houston’s largest airport.

These devices produced by General Electric, blow particles off a passenger’s body so that they may be analyzed for traces of explosives. A vacuum sucks the materials into an overhead compartment and the molecules are then heated; ions are then analyzed for traces of explosives.

For the Houston Airport System (HAS), this is another way to keep IAH among the safest airports in the world, said Mark Mancuso, deputy director of public safety for HAS.

“With as much growth as we are experiencing we recognize the importance of keeping our airports safe,” added Mancuso. “This new technology allows us to remain on the cutting-edge of aviation security.”

Last year, the Houston Airport System moved more than 48 million passengers and 347,000 metric tons of air cargo.

The two new ‘puffer machines’ at IAH are located inside Terminal E and can process up to 180 passengers per hour. Not all passengers who go through security, however, will have to go through the portals.

Those selected to go through the devices will be selected based on criteria similar to the one used now to pick those going through more in-depth screening. Forty other airports throughout the country are already using these devices.

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